Emmanuel Emenike reveals how journalists forced him to retire

Former Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike has verified Sunday Oliseh’s claim that pressure from Nigerian journalists was a significant factor in his decision to leave the national team.

Emmanuel Emenike, who made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2010 during a friendly game against Sierra Leone, became a crucial player for Nigeria.

His contributions were key in the team’s success at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Nigeria emerged victorious. Over his international career, Emenike made 35 appearances, scoring eight goals and providing six assists.

In a recent interview, former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh mentioned that Emenike retired from international football because he struggled to cope with the relentless criticism from the media. Emenike, through a post on his Instagram account, supported Oliseh’s narrative, expressing his frustration with the media’s treatment.

“I was respectful, humble and gave everything for Naija (Nigeria) but you can never satisfy everyone,” Emenike wrote. “Journalists did so much damage. I was never loved and I know this because of the things they put out about me. The love for my country was my driving force.”

There were rumors suggesting that Sunday Oliseh, who was the head coach of the Super Eagles at the time, had pressured Emenike to retire. However, Oliseh denied these allegations, asserting that Emenike made the decision independently. Emenike ended his international career at the age of 28, two years after his significant contributions to the national team.